Born in Mexico in 1963, Emil Awad studied composition and conducting at the Juilliard and Manhattan Schools of Music before earning a doctorate at Harvard University, where he worked with Milton Babbitt, Donald Martino and David Lewin. Ensembles such as the Webster Trio, Cygnus, Kolot, Harvard Group of New Music, Manhattan Contemporary Ensemble, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico have played his compositions internationally. He has received grants from the Roger Shapiro Fund (2018), the National Endowment for the Arts and Culture of Mexico (2001, 2002, 2011-14), National Institute of Arts of Mexico (2000, 2005), and the State of Veracruz Institute of Culture (1999, 2005). He has been guest composer or lecturer at institutions such as Rice University, City University of New York, Houston University, Victoria University, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Mexico, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Universidad de Guanajuato, among others. Currently, Emil Awad is professor of composition and theory at the University of Veracruz, where he serves as Director of Graduate Studies and fellow of the university’s Research Advisory Board. He has been Artistic Director of the International Music Festival Camerata 21 (1998-present).